chased leaders, 5th into straight, soon ridden, slightly hampered 1 1/2f out, kept on same pace
tracked leaders on inner, 4th into straight, 3rd and ridden 2f out, improved into 2nd and challenged inside final furlong, every chance, kept on under pressure
tracked leaders on outer, 3rd approaching straight, soon ridden and one pace
close up, 2nd into straight, soon ridden to challenge, no extra well inside final furlong
held up in touch, switched right and headway 1 1/2f out, 5th over 1f out, ran on well under pressure, nearest at finish
always towards rear, checked after 1f, one pace straight
always towards rear, ridden and no impression straight
broke well and made all, ridden and strongly pressed from under 2f out, kept on well under pressure last 100 yards
towards rear, ridden and one pace straight
held up, dropped to rear early straight, eased final furlong
tracked leaders in 5th, ridden early straight, no impression from under 2f out, kept on same pace
It's no real surprise that none of these have won on the surface and only one, the consistent Expire, has experience on polytrack. Eastern Light wasn't beaten far in a Cork Listed race in June but has been turned over at short prices in three subsequent starts and is worth opposing. Knock Stars looked much improved when gaining a comfortable success over 6f on soft ground at the Curragh, travelling well throughout, and looks a danger to all. Khelino has been racing at a high level since gaining her maiden victory at Cork but this will be the first time she has run over the minimum trip and she may not quite have the pace required. NATALISA made all over today's distance at Down Royal and the handicapper will have had a tough time rating her. John Oxx has booked the excellent Ben Curtis for the ride and his claim may just prove enough for his mount to complete a double.
Mr Man In The Moon (IRE) 14-1 (9-1) Never a factor, driven along from halfway, no extra, last of 6, 13l behind Meow (8-12) at Curragh 5f 2yo lst stk (1) gf in Aug.
Expire (IRE) 9-2 (9-3) Led, strongly pressed from 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on, 3rd of 21, 1l behind Anam Allta (8-12) at Curragh 6f 2yo mdn gf in Aug.
Eastern Light (IRE) 3-1 (8-9) Tracked leaders, 3rd over 1f out, soon no impression and kept on same pace, 5th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Natalisa (8-12) at Down Royal 5f 2yo mdn gd.
Khelino (IRE) 8-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, 3rd 2f out, soon no extra, dropped to moderate 4th inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 10l behind Banimpire (9-0) at Curragh 7f 2yo fll gf in Aug.
Knock Stars (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders in 6th, smooth headway 2f out, 3rd travelling best 1 1/2f out, 2nd and challenged inside final furlong, ran on well to lead close home, comfortably, won at Curragh 6f 2yo hcp 50-80 sft beating Long Time Coming (9-3) by 1l, 11 ran.
Joint Decision (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden and outpaced approaching straight, 4th and no impression 1 1/2f out, soon no extra, 5th of 8, 10l behind A Word Apart (9-0) at Leopardstown 7f 2yo mdn gf.
Biting Back (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Prominent, 2nd halfway, ridden and weakened early straight, 11th of 13, 29l behind Bible Belt (9-0) at Roscommon 7f 2yo flls mdn auc stks gd.
Natalisa (IRE) 5-2fav (8-12) Made all, kept on well under pressure final furlong, won at Down Royal 5f 2yo mdn gd beating Extra Steps (8-12) by 1 3/4l, 10 ran.
Heir To The Mint (USA) 12-1 (9-5) Prominent, 3rd halfway, weakened from 2f out, 9th of 11, 19l behind Knock Stars (9-0) at Curragh 6f 2yo hcp 50-80 sft.
The Munster Maori (IRE) 33-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, 7th approaching straight, no extra from 2f out, weakened, 21st of 22, 43l behind Stand To Attention (8-11) at Fairyhouse 7f 2yo aut sft.
Mcmonagle (IRE) 14-1 (9-3) Towards rear on outer, ridden entering straight, moderate 7th 2f out, no impression, 9th of 13, 13l behind Defining Year (9-0) at Listowel 7f 2yo mdn aut.
